Advice: I am seriously considering buy a Harley Davidson
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<p>I may have gone the full bogan. Living here on the GC I have developed a love of Harley's but know bugger all really.</p>
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<p>I have some jumping through hoops to do re licensing but I'd be keen to hear any thoughts from those in the know on what to look out for.</p>
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<p>looking at a custom 2008 Night Train and a 2012 V Rod.</p>
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<p>Any ideas, tips or warnings appreciated.</p> -
<p>as someone who worked in the claims part of an Insurer, I'd say don't do it!</p>
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<p>I would love to buy one, but some of the stuff I dealt with, and coversations with some that survived, means it will always remain a' dream' for me.</p>
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<p>That said, the V-Rod is a mean looking ride, and IF I did get a bike, I'd be looking at something like that, hold their value pretty well too!</p>
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<p>Don't skimp on the safety gear (helmet, boots, trousers, jackets etc)</p> -
<p>If you get one, sit it in the man cave and admire it. Don't even think about taking it out on the road.</p>
<p>If you want a good rundown on the perils of bike riding in Oz, contact Mainlander. He and his local hospital are good friends.</p> -
<p>If you want to do it, and you've done your research on the pros and cons and still want to do it ... do it.</p>
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<p>You'll regret it the rest of your life otherwise.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(I have nothing to add on the bike etc, but your first 2 responses were negativity, so I'm balancing that out a bit - even though I'm a self confessed motorcycle retard)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="553058" data-time="1453077887">
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<p>as someone who worked in the claims part of an Insurer, I'd say don't do it!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I would love to buy one, but some of the stuff I dealt with, and coversations with some that survived, means it will always remain a' dream' for me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That said, the V-Rod is a mean looking ride, and IF I did get a bike, I'd be looking at something like that, hold their value pretty well too!</p>
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<p>Ha I should have expanded on the warning bit. I understand the risks. I have kids after all. But Im not a crazy old hoon on a midlife crisis tip. Im sure there will be times when I peel out at the lights but Im not going to be tempted to dodge in and out of traffic like the fuck sticks i see every day to and from work. </p>
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<p>I had a HQ ute i had been working on for years that I just gave to the old man and I need something else to play with.</p> -
<p>as an aside, have you ridden much?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That was probably a big thing I learnt too, get plenty of dudes, like you (assuming 40/50 yrs) who used to ride a bit back in their teens, 20s, and then jump on a pretty new bike, which is a totally new beast compared to what they used to ride, and then...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't mean to come across negative, but is just my opinion, I'd love to ride a bike round the countryside, I see people doing it on the weekends and think thatd be a mint way to get about, but the risk assessment in my mind would not allow me to do it, similarly wingsuit flying....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I added a bit to my original post that you may have missed about safety equipment, makes a big difference!!</p> -
<p>I have never owned but I have ridden lots. My step father was a triumph enthusiast and I know roughly how to maintain a bike. Just never actually got around to the licensing.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="553069" data-time="1453078460">
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<p>as an aside, have you ridden much?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That was probably a big thing I learnt too, get plenty of dudes, like you (<strong>assuming 40/50 yrs</strong>) who used to ride a bit back in their teens, 20s, and then jump on a pretty new bike, which is a totally new beast compared to what they used to ride, and then...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't mean to come across negative, but is just my opinion, I'd love to ride a bike round the countryside, I see people doing it on the weekends and think thatd be a mint way to get about, but the risk assessment in my mind would not allow me to do it, similarly wingsuit flying....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I added a bit to my original post that you may have missed about safety equipment, makes a big difference!!</p>
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<p>not for another 3 years mate!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="553071" data-time="1453078678">
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<p>not for another 3 years mate!</p>
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<p>so you are 37/47 years old ;)</p> -
<p>when i was balls deep in Sons of Anarchy i wanted a Harley. My wife said no. Which is good, because i've never ridden a motorbike in my life, and most probably would have died early doors. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="553086" data-time="1453080010"><p>when i was balls deep in Sons of Anarchy i wanted a Harley. My wife said no. Which is good, because i've never ridden a motorbike in my life, and most probably would have died early doors.</p></blockquote>
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Oh yes thank god that didn't happen, how would the fern have managed without you and your sharp witt/intellect. -
<p>you're trying too hard</p>
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- are you taking enough steroids and/or KFC to fit the part?<br><br>
- is this a mid life crisis?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="553082" data-time="1453079658">
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<p>so you are 37/47 years old ;)</p>
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<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="553096" data-time="1453081082">
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<p>2) is this a mid life crisis?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>not quite/yes! :)</p> -
<p>Do you have a friend to tow you home?</p>
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<p>Answer the following honestly to determine if you are a potential Harley owner</p>
<p> </p>
<ol><li>Are you male?</li>
<li>Do you have a beard?</li>
<li>Is it grey?</li>
<li>Do you have a XXL beer gut?</li>
<li>Do you have a collection of black XL t-shirts to cram your XXL gut into?</li>
<li>Do have a fetching polka dot bandana to cover your bald pate and make you look "mongrel"?</li>
<li>Do you belong to a real ale club?</li>
<li>Do you need something to compensate for your "size"?</li>
<li>Do you really like spending your spare time polishing chrome?</li>
<li>Do you have arthritic knees?</li>
</ol> -
<p>No wonder I didn't think it important that he got one. I can only answer yes to one of those questions.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Virgil" data-cid="553094" data-time="1453080775"><p>Oh yes thank god that didn't happen, how would the fern have managed without you and your sharp witt/intellect.</p></blockquote>
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Mariner would blow off a Harley if he ever picked up enough speed -
<p>at least i would blow off a Harley and not a West Indian cricketer</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dogmeat" data-cid="553099" data-time="1453082025"><p>Answer the following honestly to determine if you are a potential Harley owner<br>
<br></p><ul class="bbcol decimal"><li>Are you male?</li><li>Do you have a beard?</li><li>Is it grey?</li><li>Do you have a XXL beer gut?</li><li>Do you have a collection of black XL t-shirts to cram your XXL gut into?</li><li>Do have a fetching polka dot bandana to cover your bald pate and make you look "mongrel"?</li><li>Do you belong to a real ale club?</li><li>Do you need something to compensate for your "size"?</li><li>Do you really like spending your spare time polishing chrome?</li><li>Do you have arthritic knees?</li></ul></blockquote>
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Dont forget ridiculously large tacky belt buckles -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="553121" data-time="1453086900"><p>at least i would blow off a Harley and not a West Indian cricketer</p></blockquote>
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You actually admit to blowing off a Harley??? The fuck????? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dogmeat" data-cid="553099" data-time="1453082025">
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<p> </p>
<p>Answer the following honestly to determine if you are a potential Harley owner</p>
<p> </p>
<ol><li>Are you male?</li>
<li>Do you have a beard?</li>
<li>Is it grey?</li>
<li>Do you have a XXL beer gut?</li>
<li>Do you have a collection of black XL t-shirts to cram your XXL gut into?</li>
<li>Do have a fetching polka dot bandana to cover your bald pate and make you look "mongrel"?</li>
<li>Do you belong to a real ale club?</li>
<li>Do you need something to compensate for your "size"?</li>
<li>Do you really like spending your spare time polishing chrome?</li>
<li>Do you have arthritic knees?</li>
</ol><p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I like to remind any of my harley riding mates that Personal Investor magazine profiled Harley riders in the states and found the average was 45-55 years old earned close to or above six figures and put minimal miles of their hog yearly. Ie another version of the midlife crisis red convertible.</p> -
<p>Thats a no from me too and I used to ride bikes, bikes are a lot faster now which isnt an issue with a Harley but my reflexes and eyesight arent what they were when I was 20 which is still a factor on a Harley.</p>
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<p>If you want a bike there are two ways of going about it I reckon,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A trail bike, you can't get speeding fines and they are a of of fun</p>
<p>BEARS racing <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.ozbearsracing.com/'>http://www.ozbearsracing.com/</a> you get to meet heaps of people, have a bit of fun ,go fast without worrying about oncoming traffic and you still get to ride a chrome laden bike if thats what you like and as a final bonus there are medical staff on hand . I have mates who do this, there are track days they go up to to prepare for the races. </p>
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<p>I'll leave the last word to Stephen Fry,</p>
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<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.5px;text-align:justify;">A little relevant excerpt from Stephen Fry:</p>
<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.5px;text-align:justify;">I've got an American cousin who is a doctor who was visiting me in London at the time when I used to ride a motorbike. He didn't know this and he saw me check in my "skid lid" as we .. as we biker boys call them. He said "I didn't know you ride a bike." He said "Do you know what we call bike riders at the Trauma Department of the Roosevelt Hospital?" I said "No." He said "Donors."</p>
<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.5px;text-align:justify;">That was one thing and literally two days later, a friend of mine was talking about an Aunt who was at Moorfields Eye Hospital and she was going to have a cataract operation or a corneal graft. The chap came in - the consultant. He said "Now Mrs Alton. I'm sure you've heard about it. We are going to cut out that nasty old lens, that cloudy old lens and we are going to sew in a nice bright fresh new one. It's a very simple operation and it only takes a few hours and you will be out and seeing wonderfully. The only trouble is that we don't have any donor eyes in at the moment." He looked at the window and said "... but its raining so it shouldn't be too long."</p> -
<p>I'm probably not the person to talk you out of riding...</p>
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<p>Its too late..Raz took the jump and bought the bike</p>
<p>Here he is..</p>
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<p><img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/89/5d/f7/895df7413da8edca85b1fd95336f310c.jpg" alt="895df7413da8edca85b1fd95336f310c.jpg"></p> -
<p>Whats the red machine? I almost bought one of these when I was about 20, the seller changed his mind and as far as I know still has it</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200911/suzuki-katana-1100-b-3_800x0w.jpg" alt="suzuki-katana-1100-b-3_800x0w.jpg"></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Virgil" data-cid="553141" data-time="1453095349"><p>Its too late..Raz took the jump and bought the bike<br>
Here he is..<br>
<br><img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/89/5d/f7/895df7413da8edca85b1fd95336f310c.jpg" alt="895df7413da8edca85b1fd95336f310c.jpg"></p></blockquote>
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So that's what an Italian-Samoan looks like.... -
<p>The red one is a Kawasaki Versys 1000 - sports tourer now my 20s are a long time ago.</p>
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<p>go to the beach for a few hours...</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="553149" data-time="1453098981"><p>
go to the beach for a few hours...</p></blockquote>
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Why don't you buy another ute to restore? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="553143" data-time="1453095555">
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<p>So that's what an Italian-Samoan looks like....</p>
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<p>This is what an actual Italian-Samoan looks like:</p>
<p><img src="http://assets-s3.mensjournal.com/img/essential/tk-roman-reigns-workout/298_398_tk-roman-reigns-workout.jpg" alt="298_398_tk-roman-reigns-workout.jpg"></p>
<p>I have no idea how I know about this guy who is the WWE champion - did I read it on the Fern WWE thread?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="553152" data-time="1453099824">
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<p>Why don't you buy another ute to restore?</p>
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<p>The truth is that I bought that ute in 2001 and it took me years to sort it out. I was always willing but ever had the time, money or parts to get it up an running any sooner. Kids.</p>
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<p>Storage was a MF too. So I wanted to downsize the toy. Parts don't seem to be an issue and they cost fuck all.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="553169" data-time="1453107144"><p>The truth is that I bought that ute in 2001 and it took me years to sort it out. I was always willing but ever had the time, money or parts to get it up an running any sooner. Kids.<br>
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Storage was a MF too. So I wanted to downsize the toy. Parts don't seem to be an issue and they cost fuck all.</p></blockquote>
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Parts for the ute or the Harley? Is it a project you're looking for or a turn key bike you can ride on nice days? The other thing is the mrs, she might say she wants to ride with you so you have to get something with a comfortable seat for her and then never actually do that. A mate only got permission from swmbo to buy a boat on the condition it has nice seats etc so they could all go out for picnics etc as a family. This has happened maybe 10 times in six years in the meantime the inside of the boat looks like shit from dive gear etc and has wrecked its resale value . -
<p>This is basically it. I want a bike to cruise on the weekends and perhaps use for work. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't have a compensation issue. </p>
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<p>I don't have a beer gut yet. I like wanky IPAs but Im not in a club for craft beer drinkers.</p>
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<p>The mrs will likely sit on the back at some stage but I'd imagine we'd be going "2 miles an hour so everybody see's me" and not very often.</p>
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<p>Parts for the HQ were a cnt to get in good cond. I spent far too much and the end result was good but I want something ready to go but if it does fall apart I can afford to get it up an going again.</p>
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<p>I am embracing the weather and the lifestyle, Im not interested in getting sleeved up and getting a spray on tan so I go down surfers and stand by my bike in my bikie nike's, telling every chick that walks past shes a slut dying for my cck while I proceed to adjust my comb over(with my barbers initials cared into the side) in the side mirrors.</p> -
<p>Go for it Raz</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not a biker but lots of my family are and they love it. Glassed over eyes when trying to explain that all life's troubles melt away when on the bike - pure bliss they say</p>
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<p>Is it feasible to hire for a bit to see if it sticks?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="553168" data-time="1453106875">
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<p>This is what an actual Italian-Samoan looks like:</p>
<p><img src="http://assets-s3.mensjournal.com/img/essential/tk-roman-reigns-workout/298_398_tk-roman-reigns-workout.jpg" alt="298_398_tk-roman-reigns-workout.jpg"></p>
<p>I have no idea how I know about this guy who is the WWE champion - did I read it on the Fern WWE thread?</p>
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<p>Looks a bit like Mitch Johnson on roids.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="553281" data-time="1453166528">
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<p>Looks a bit like Mitch Johnson on roids.</p>
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<p>Only the greasy hair part.</p> -
<p>Facial hair, more.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="553378" data-time="1453240763">
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<p>Facial hair, more.</p>
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<p>Hulk Hogan must look like Mitchell too then..</p> -
<p>do it.. couple of my mates have harleys.. one wrote off his first one pretty quickly and avoided a new one for a couple of years (then hid new purchase at workshop from wife for 6 months)..</p>
<p> </p>
<p>other mate sounds exactly like you. He's had this about 4 months now and loves it, rides it to work etc. Nice bike, and not a w@nky 'look at me' harley. he test rode about a million different bike styles, changed his mind a hundred times and always came back to what he wanted. test drove the one below and it was the one for him.</p>
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<p>has a trail / crossover bike as his daily ride, sold his jetski to fund this...</p>
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<p>[attachment=1940:11904083_10153523982452457_3058793184345507608_n.jpg]</p>
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<p>and found a pic of other mates bike... a lot louder. just like him ha</p>
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<p>[attachment=1941:945878_10204264808740683_5460136987415416461_n.jpg]</p>
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